402 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



rately active, the number of respirations did not exceed 40 per minute, 

 while, when in violent action or a state of excitement, they were from 110 

 to 120 per minute. The degree of heat developed by the hive-bee is thus 

 always in proportion to the activity of its respiration, which again usually 

 depends on the greater or less activity of its motions ; and hence it is in 

 summer often 25 Fahr. above that of the atmosphere, and as much or 

 more even in winter, if the bees be in any way excited. 1 



And now, having detailed to you thus amply the wonderful history and 

 proceedings of the social tribes of the insect world, you will allow, I think, 

 that I have redeemed my pledge, when I taught you to expect that this 

 history would exceed in interest and variety and marvellous results every 

 thing that I had before related to you. I trust, moreover, that you will 

 scarcely feel disposed to subscribe to that opinion, though it has the sanc- 

 tion of some great names, which attributes these almost miraculous in- 

 stincts to mere sensation ; which tells us that the sensorium of these 

 insects is so modelled with respect to the different operations that are 

 given them in charge, that it is by the attraction of pleasure alone that they 

 are determined to the execution of them ; and that, as every circumstance 

 relative to the succession of their different labours is preordained, to each 

 of them an agreeable sensation is affixed by the Creator ; and that thus, 

 when the bees build their cells ; when they sedulously attend to the young 

 brood ; when they collect provisions; this is the result of no plans, of 

 no affection, of no foresight; but that the sole determining motive is the 

 enjoyment of an agreeable sensation attached to each of these operations. 2 

 Surely it would be better to resolve all their proceedings at once into a 

 direct impulse from the Creator, than to maintain a theory so contrary to 

 fact, and which militates against the whole history which M. Huber, who 

 adopts this theory from Bonnet, has so ably given of these creatures. 

 That they may experience agreeable sensations from their various employ- 

 ments, nobody will deny; but that such sensations instruct them how to 

 perform their several operations, without any plan previously impressed 

 upon their sensorium, is contrary both to reason and experience. They 

 have a plan, it is evident ; and that plan, which proves that it is not mere 

 sensation, they vary according to circumstances. As to affection that 

 bees are irritable, and feel the passion of anger, no one will deny ; that 

 they are also susceptible of fear, is equally evident: and if they feel anger 

 and fear, why may they not also feel love ? Further, if they have recourse 

 to precautions for the prevention of any evil that seems to threaten them, 

 how can we refuse them a degree of foresight ? Must we also resolve all 

 their patriotism, and the singular regard for the welfare of their community 

 which seems constantly to actuate them, and the sacrifices, even sometimes 

 of themselves, that they make to promote and ensure it, into individual 

 self-love ? We would not set them up as rivals to man in intelligence, 

 foresight, and the affections ; but they have that degree of each that is 

 necessary for their purposes. On account of the difficulties attending all 

 theories that give them some degree of these qualities, to resolve all into 

 mere sensation is removing one difficulty by a greater. 



i Newport " On the Temperature of Insects," in Phil. Trans. 1837, pp. 309. 

 311, &c. 

 * Huber, i. 313. 



